The province of Malaita in the Solomon Islands is, to organize an independence referendum due to its disgruntlement with the central government in Honiara. It formally ends the 10 year long tenure of John Momis. An almost half-empty Bougainville House of Representatives has farewelled John Momis, the region’s longest serving president to date and a senior Papua New Guinea statesmen, in a shunned and scandalous lack of attendance in the final session of the Parliament on Friday. Fear of instigating further secession is one of the reasons why the PNG government may be reluctant to grant independence for Bougainville. Former rebel military commander Ishmael Toroama has been elected president of Bougainville, an autonomous part of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific, electoral officials said on Wednesday, and is set to lead talks seeking independence. He wants them to be conducted quickly. Bougainville remains a region of significant developmental needs. Added to this is the influence of foreign powers on Bougainville, in particular the diplomatic recognition battle between China and Taiwan. "I look forward to working with president-elect Toroama in progressing consultations on the outcome of the recent referendum and securing long-term economic development and a lasting peace for the people of Bougainville," Mr Marape said. South Korea's government is banking on AI as part of its post-COVID recovery. These attempts to gain influence push and pull on developing countries with great force. Toroama is highly respected by the people of Bougainville, and having won the election by a massive landslide, is considered the ideal person to fulfill Bougainville’s quest for Independence. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), UK and European Union reach Brexit deal ahead of crucial deadline, Royal Caribbean launches legal action against families of White Island volcano tragedy, Defence Chief thanks troops, acknowledges 'difficult' Afghanistan inquiry in Christmas message, China suspends Australian timber imports from NSW and Western Australia, Police investigating after woman on superyacht arrives in Cairns with COVID-19, What are the rules about hugging? November 27, 2019 ­­Bougainville’s Faustian Bargain Over 98 percent of voters in a long-awaited referendum wanted independence. The war was brought to a close by a peace agreement, which Mr Toroama signed. the new leadership and its plans for Bougainville over the next five years. After a pandemic delay, the election is set to take place from August 12 to September 1. The participation of women in diplomatic negotiations is key to. Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific. A freedom fighter of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) who stopped Rio Tinto and its subsidiary Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) by blowing up the electric pylons at the Panguna mine in 1988. Thirty years ago, Ishmael Toroama was leading troops in a rebel army during a bloody conflict in Bougainville. However, Beijing and Taipei attempting to manipulate these needs for their own purposes is an unfair game. 28 Oct 2020. BY BOUGAINVILLE PRESIDENT – HON ISHMAEL TOROAMA. About "The Internet and social media’s arrival in the region have led to unprecedented levels of grassroots activism across societies.". Do we need masks? The participation of women in diplomatic negotiations is key to maintaining peace, and so the presence of these women should be considered a great advantage to the new president. Bougainville's new President, Ishmael Toroama, says establishing law and order is essential if the autonomous region in Papua New Guinea is to prosper. Ishmael Toroama, a former secessionist military commander turned peacemaker and cocoa farmer, has been elected the president of PNG’s autonomous Bougainville region, in … congratulating Toroama on his victory. Securing independence will demand the exercise of political leadership at all levels - the national level, throughout Bougainville’s three regions and in due course the international arena. "I would like to see the national Government ratifying the 98 per cent, that is the first step that I would like to see," he said. The tycoon-funded vaccine drive demonstrates the durability of the patronage state that Hun Sen has built since the 1980s. Mr Toroama said it was an honour to be elected, but that he knew it would be a challenging time. Read full article. Elections for the first autonomous government were held in May and June 2005; Joseph Kabui, an independence leader, was elected President. Currently only. one of the “open” seats, there is hope that the Toroama will give at least one of these women a ministerial position, and not sideline them during this important stage in Bougainville’s history. THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville is expected to announce its new president on Wednesday. Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Thirty years ago, Ishmael Toroama was leading troops in a rebel army during a bloody conflict in Bougainville. Almost 98 per cent voted to seek independence. France is rarely mentioned as an important actor in the Indo-Pacific, but its vast EEZ in the region underpins its interests. I would like to assure my people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea that as your mandated President am ready to take Bougainville forward, focusing on law and order, anti-corruption policies, the ratification process and improving fiscal self-reliance of Bouganville. The new President of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, has clarified a report in the Australian newspaper about his business dealings. She will also face the issue of whether to reopen the troubled mine, as Bougainville tries to become financially independent. This is tough terrain for Toroama to negotiate as a new leader. Despite ongoing peace negotiations, the Taliban continue their attacks, recently incorporating weaponized commercially available drones into their arsenal. "After that, we will get ourselves prepared, it will be another timeframe, as the national Government ratifies the outcome, and maybe, a time of five years.". Once a freedom fighter with the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Toroama is seen by many as the ideal person to complete the region's quest for independence. Former rebel military commander Ishmael Toroama has been elected as president of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, electoral officials said on Wednesday. But hardly any men, The remote, impoverished island sitting on a multi-billion-dollar gold mine, Bougainville votes overwhelmingly for independence in landmark referendum, Frustration at Tasmania's 'ghost' camp sites, set up in prime tourist spots weeks in advance, Bushfire warning for Bullsbrook in Perth's north east downgraded to watch and act, NT revokes 'large majority' of Greater Sydney's coronavirus hotspot status, Singapore and Denmark find cases of new COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through the UK, Terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika to stay in jail, despite finishing 15-year sentence, Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks to go ahead 'no matter what', Christmas could lead to 'worst-case scenario' for New Year's Eve, experts fear, From a humble plate of sandwiches, a Christmas tradition grew, Pakistani court orders release of man charged in journalist Daniel Pearl killing. SUBIACO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2020 / The Board of RTG Mining Inc. ("RTG", the "Company") (TSX:RTG)(ASX:RTG) is pleased to announce that the Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commission has today declared a new President, Mr Ishmael Toroama.Mr Toroama was a Commander of the Bougainville … in West Papua, for example, where local movements for independence from Indonesia are keenly observing Bougainville’s trajectory. The UAE has officially approved a Sinopharm vaccine, while there are promising unofficial results from Sinovac’s Indonesia trial. An autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is aiming for independence and elected a president who shares that ambition. Thirty years ago, Ishmael Toroama was leading troops in a rebel army during a bloody conflict in Bougainville. This is tough terrain for Toroama to negotiate as a new leader. And the next foreign policy steps taken by Ishmael Toroama, the new President of Bougainville and a 51-year-old ex-commander of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army that fought for independence, will determine the island’s future fate. Just $5 a month. SUBIACO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2020 / The Board of RTG Mining Inc. ("RTG", the "Company") (TSX:RTG)(ASX:RTG) is pleased to announce that the Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commission has today declared a new President, Mr Ishmael Toroama. "I think the vision and the dream is there," Mr Toroama told the ABC. BY BOUGAINVILLE PRESIDENT – HON ISHMAEL TOROAMA. While he may have this mandate, how he approaches the issue will be the true test of his statesmanship, because there are many moving parts at play beyond just honoring the independence referendum. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville Declare New President - Ishmael Toroama. Alongside this, other provinces in PNG have been expressing a desire to gain. The activist, social worker and mother was voted in to represent the Ioro constituency, which includes the Panguna Mine, the site where fighting first started. On October 4, New Caledonia will hold a second referendum on independence from France. The letter also affirmed that Taipei would open a branch of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund in Buka, offered medical assistance to Buka’s hospital, scholarships for Bougainville students, and training for government officials. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. "We have to fulfil the dreams and the vision of why we fought.". "But so long as people are empowered and they feel that they are ready for the issue of mines then the people can make their choice heard, then I can talk on their behalf [based on] what the people will say.". Decades after the region's bloody civil conflict, the people of Bougainville will today start casting their votes in a referendum on whether they should seek independence from Papua New Guinea. The President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama has highlighted six important strategies his new government will be taking in the next five years. Toroama’s path from a commander in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army during the region’s civil war, to helping negotiate the peace agreement that laid the path for last year’s referendum on independence, and now the potential founding father of the world’s newest country is a compelling story. Us, Write Mr Toroama said he wanted to potentially see Bougainville become independent within five years. "On my side, we will push hard for independence because that is the key issue on Bougainville," Mr Toroama said. Currently only 14 percent of its government’s expenditures are derived from internal revenue generation, which makes it reliant on international aid and goodwill. Many in the national Parliament don't want to see Bougainville secede. An autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is aiming for independence and elected a president who shares that ambition. 280820 “LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM COMING TO ITS ENDS,”SAYS PRESIDENT NEW DAWN FM NEWS THE President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Grand Chief Doctor John Momis said that Bougainville’s long road to freedom is now coming to its end as independence will be achieved soon He said the road to freedom is not easy and is full of big challenges that Bougainvilleans must … The new president of Bougainville will be, , a former commander in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, and one of the key players in the signing of the. It also reveals its weaknesses. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Former rebel military commander Ishmael Toroama has been elected president of Bougainville, an autonomous part of Papua New … The meeting is a prelude to a formal proper JSB meeting scheduled for 30 November 30 in Kokopo, East New … The new president of Bougainville will be Ishmael Toroama, a former commander in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, and one of the key players in the signing of the peace agreement with PNG in 2001 after a decade-long civil war. The Bougainville Legislature has 40 Members. Bougainville leader calls on youth to innovate. Defending the stability of not just Bougainville and PNG, but the entire Melanesian region will need to be factored into Toroama’s approach to his negotiations with Port Moresby. The province of Malaita in the Solomon Islands is attempting to organize an independence referendum due to its disgruntlement with the central government in Honiara. The meeting, which is the first to take place in Port Moresby since President Toroama’s election, provided an opportunity for the two Governments to lay the foundations for a successful … Now, he will be sworn in as the region's president. Bougainville President-elect Ishmael Toroama meeting Prime Minister James Marape in Buka on Sept 29. No doubt Beijing is considering countermeasures to make sure that if Bougainville does become the world’s newest country, they immediately recognize China. © 2020 Diplomat Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Despite resistance from PNG’s government to losing its resource-rich eastern province, there is genuine expectation amongst Bougainvilleans that their decision to secede will be honoured. Yet he finds himself in a position of great responsibility, with numerous competing interests to balance. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville Declare New President - Ishmael Toroama. While Taipei’s offers in its letter to Toroama may be genuine, they are not altogether altruistic. The new President of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, has been sworn in by Papua New Guinea Supreme Court Justice, Sir Kina Bona, in Buka. Voters in Bougainville seemed to be buoyed by hopes of the future when they went to elect a new parliament: several young people have been voted in and a number of high-profile MPs lost their seats. The new president of Bougainville, an autonomous part of Papua New Guinea, has appointed two female cabinet ministers, a rare move in a region where women are often sidelined in politics. Momis defeated his predecessor James Tanis and five other challengers by a landslide in the 2010 presidential election, in which he was a candidate of the New Bougainville Party. Not for release to US wire services or distribution in the United States. The new President was a commander in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, a guerrilla force which instigated an armed uprising following grievances about the environmental devastation and economic inequity associated with the foreign-owned Panguna mine. The referendum was non-binding, which means negotiations must now be held between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. Ms Matbob beat 15 men to claim the seat and said her priority was to pursue independence for Bougainville and deliver health and education to her people. Bougainville has echoed loudly its cry for change and this is clearly shown in the new composition of the Fourth Bougainville House of Representatives. Chinese attitudes toward immigration are growing more diverse, with many remaining neutral or positive despite alarming headlines. He says after Bougainville's new cabinet is selected and settled, the discussions can begin. This was the first election to be held after the region voted overwhelmingly (97.7 percent) in favor of pursuing independence from PNG. SYDNEY, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Former rebel military commander Ishmael Toroama has been elected as president of Bougainville, an … Former rebel military commander Ishmael Toroama has been elected president of Bougainville, an autonomous part of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific, electoral officials said on Wednesday, and is set to lead talks seeking independence. CANBERRA, Australia, Sep 29 2020 (IPS) - Ishmael Toroama, a former revolutionary leader and fighter during the decade long civil war which engulfed the remote islands of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the 1990s, has been elected the autonomous region’s new President ahead of high-level talks about its political future. This may be ambitious, given the referendum was non-binding and PNG is reluctant to acquiesce to Bougainville’s independence. "It's the greatest challenge of our times.". "During my campaign, I had this timeframe of two to three years [for negotiations]," Mr Toroama said. His work as president will need to be for the well-being of Melanesia as a whole, not just Bougainville. ABG President Chief Dr John Momis made these remarks during the swearing in ceremony of the new Vice President Raymond Masono. One factor that may assist him in his decision-making is the presence of four women in the newly elected House of Representatives. of its government’s expenditures are derived from internal revenue generation, which makes it reliant on international aid and goodwill. Last week the election results in Papua New Guinea’s autonomous region of Bougainville were announced. Sir Puka told Parliament of the elections in the region. Inauguration Day I woke up to a dull wet day in Buka, vehicles were moving around, boats were coming in as early as 5am and there was an air of excitement. 091120PRE JCB MEETING HELD TODAY NEW DAWN FM NEWS/MEDIA STATEMENT Prime Minister James Marape and President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama met today in Port Moresby. While Taipei’s offers in its letter to Toroama may be genuine, they are not altogether altruistic. Click here to subscribe for full access. The new President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville… The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Honorable James Marape; the outgoing President of Bougainville Honorable Chief Dr John Momis, Ministers of the PNG Parliament present here today, Ministers and Members of the Bougainville Parliament; Heads of Foreign Missions represented here today, the Speaker of the Bougainville … November 27, 2019 ­­Bougainville’s Faustian Bargain The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Honorable James Marape; the outgoing President of Bougainville Honorable Chief Dr John Momis, Ministers of the PNG Parliament present here today, Ministers and Members of the Bougainville Parliament; Heads of Foreign Missions represented here today, the Speaker of the Bougainville … This is the first and foremost agenda for the incoming President- that is to secure independence for the people of Bougainville and spearhead the building of a new nation. 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